Dual component bis-biguanide containing dentifrice of improved stability

Abstract

A dual component chlorhexidine dentifrice composition of improved shelf stability in which the first component is a gel containing a bis-biguanide antibacterial agent in which the gel vehicle is thickened with a cellulose polymer and the second component is a paste containing a silica abrasive wherein the bis-biguanide antibacterial agent provides undiminished antiplaque and antigingivitis effect with reduced staining when the physically separated components are combined and mixed upon application to dental tissue.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A dual component bis-biguanide antibacterial dental composition having increased shelf stability in which a first component is an extrudable gel containing an orally acceptable vehicle, a cellulose polymer thickener, and a bis-biguanide antibacterial agent compound, in which a silica abrasive is absent, and the second component which is an extrudable paste containing a silica abrasive, in which the bis-biguanide is absent, the first and second components being synchronously extrudible when dispensed for application to the teeth, the first and second components being physically segregated prior to use, the components when mixed upon application to teeth providing improved shelf stability and undiminished antibacterial efficacy to dental tissue, with less staining of teeth than normally occurs with bis-biguanide compound containing dentifrices, said cellulose polymer thickener in said gel substantially reducing the force required to activate the dual gel and paste composition as compared to polyalkylene block copolymer thickeners, said dual components being packaged in and physically separated from each other in a dispensing container from which the separated components are synchronously dispensed when the force is applied to activate the extrusion of the composition from the container outlet. 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the cellulose polymer is hydroxyethyl cellulose. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the cellulose polymer is present in the vehicle of  claim 1  at a concentration of about 1% to about 6% by weight. 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the bis-biguanide is chlorhexidine. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the bis-biguanide is present in the gel vehicle at a concentration of about 0.001 to about 4 weight %.